Water was hot on the agenda at the NSW Farmers’ Association annual conference, with members calling upon the Government to change the way it purchases water from irrigators.

NSW Farmers’ Association

president Jock Laurie says the Government must provide transparency in its water purchases, as it is currently extremely difficult to assess the actual impacts on the market.

“The association is calling on the Government to cease purchasing water until a full assessment is made of the transparency and auditing of water purchases,

impact on the viability of group supply systems, impact on irrigation-dependant communities including demographics and the impact on irrigated agriculture’s ability to

continue to sustain and increase food production,” Mr Laurie said.

“Delegates have also voted to lobby the Government to ensure its activities in the water market be conducted under full price disclosure within 24 hours of contract signing,” he added.